Ange Postecoglou isn’t backing down. After Tottenham suffered back-to-back eliminations in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup within four days, the Spurs manager faced growing scrutiny—but he made it clear that he won’t let criticism overshadow his belief in his squad.
Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa, just days after falling short against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The frustration was evident among fans, with chants calling for chairman Daniel Levy to step down.
But while Postecoglou is feeling the heat, he refuses to let the pressure shake his faith in his players.
Postecoglou Defends His Team Against Criticism
The Australian manager passionately defended his injury-ravaged squad, insisting that any team would struggle under similar circumstances.
With 12 first-team players sidelined, he argued that expectations need to be more realistic.
“I don’t care how people judge me, but don’t judge this group of players,” Postecoglou stated.
“People can say I’ve done a bad job or that I’m not up to it, and that’s fine.
But look at what this group has been doing for two and a half months.
To dismiss the impact of our injury crisis is just not an objective analysis.”
He even hinted at a possible agenda against him, adding, “If it’s about getting rid of me, then fine—go for it.
But the effort and commitment these players have shown deserve credit.”
Comparing Spurs’ Challenges to Liverpool’s FA Cup Shock
To emphasize his point, Postecoglou referenced Liverpool’s surprising FA Cup loss to Plymouth.
He noted that while Arne Slot had the luxury of making wholesale changes for one match, Spurs have been forced to rely on young, inexperienced players in both European and domestic competitions since November.
“How did Liverpool do today?” he pointed out. “They made those choices for one game.
We’ve been asking teenagers to play in Europe on Thursdays and then in the Premier League on Sundays.
This group of players will be an outstanding team—I have no doubt about that.”
Villa’s Own Injury Woes and Rashford’s Debut
Tottenham weren’t the only team dealing with setbacks.
Aston Villa also had their share of injury troubles, with Ezri Konsa starting as their only available center-back before being forced off in the first half.
Manager Unai Emery had to make adjustments, handing debuts to new loan signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio in the second half.
Emery acknowledged the impact of his fresh signings, saying, “We saw the skill of Rashford and Asensio and how they helped us.
They’ll be crucial for us in the months ahead as we compete in multiple competitions.”
What’s Next for Spurs?
Despite the setbacks, Postecoglou remains determined to steer Tottenham forward.
With a few key players expected to return in the coming week, he’s hopeful that his side can bounce back.
But with mounting fan frustration and external criticism, the coming weeks will be a true test of both his leadership and Spurs’ resilience.
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